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Located roughly 400 miles off the south coast of Argentina, the Falkland Islands are decidedly British -- that is, if you confine your visit to Stanley, the capital city. Venture out from this enclave of red British phone boxes and double-decker buses and you find a treeless landscape more welcoming to penguins and elephant seals than people. Any place outside Stanley is called the “campo,” which means countryside. When it comes to souvenirs of the Falklands, items made of wool and other local materials are the biggest hits.

Sweaters and Woolen Products

Sheep do well in the campo, munching away at the low vegetation and hunkering down when the wind becomes too much. Their wool is used in making traditional sweaters, socks and scarves. Items made of wool felt, often decorated with local scenes, include warm hats, purses, wallets, book covers and cell phone cases. Ponchos are also a hit and like the sweaters and hats are hand-dyed and sometimes quite colorful. Handmade sheepskin slippers for adults and children make ideal souvenirs as the pieces of sheepskin are crocheted together with colorful hand-dyed wool and the insides have a fluffy, soft, warm lining.

Driftwood Crafts

The Falklands are made up of more than 740 islands and sit in the midst of some of the roughest seas on the planet. It’s not surprising that the locals do a fair amount of beachcombing and subsequent “recycling” of their finds in the form of artwork. Driftwood, some of it pieces of old shipwrecks, and wave-polished pebbles are turned into jewelry, carved key chains and artwork suited for fireplace mantles and coffee tables. Items are also made from bark from a local tree called the diddle-dee.

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere

Penguins are the rage in the Falklands, so it’s not surprising that anything made with penguins in mind becomes an instant souvenir. These items can be as silly as a novelty penguin-head hat complete with bold yellow beak, googly eyes and ear flaps mimicking the coloring of the birds. The furry material will keep you warm. Penguins appear on iPad sleeves, phone covers, oven mitts, mugs, magnets and tea towels. One novelty design, called the “Penguin of Death,” is found on chocolate bars, cuff links and different styles of coffee mugs. Rumor has it that the stare of these black birds with the white bellies and strange smiles will mesmerize you into unconsciousness.

Shopping in the Falklands

You’ll find all your shops in Stanley, most of them in the center of town and within an easy walk of the cruise ship dock. The Capstan Gift ship was built with the tourist trade in mind and is barely a block from the pier. It is filled with every sort of souvenir imaginable. The Falkland Islands Craft members have a dedicated sales area within the store. Across the street is the Falkland Island Company supermarket, the largest branch in town. Fresh local meats, fish and produce are available, as are items imported from Britain. The Electric Store is next to the supermarket. Though it caters mostly to locals, it's a good place to replace spent batteries for computers and cell phones. The West Store Café is nearby, open daily except Sunday. Pop in to enjoy a meal and a beverage at this local hangout.

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About the Author

Monica Wachman has been writing since 1979. Much of her work has been in travel, history and the natural sciences. She is a former editor for FishersTravelSOS and house writer for EasyRez.com. She has a degree in travel and tourism from Career Com Technical Schools and has been in this industry since 1989.

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